Money Matters

Embark on a journey of Jewish learning and discovery, exploring the depth of our Money Matters resources, where tagged items including audio, programs, and podcast episodes await your exploration.

A Tuition Plan

Rabbi Jay Kelman

In its current form, the day school system is unsustainable. With tuition increases consistently at between two and three times the rate of inflation, more and more parents are opting out of the system. Not unlike the financial crisis, where the…
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The Morality of Price Disparity

Rabbi Jay Kelman

In watching the leadership debate I was struck and almost regardless of the question or issue being discussed Prime Minister Harper would talk about the economy and Michael Ingnateif would talk about the moral obligation to respect parliament.…
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Election Issues

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Technological advances are rapidly changing the nature of almost all that we do. Many of the careers our children will pursue have yet to be invented.  The end results of the political rumblings of the Arab world are impossible to discern,…
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Prison Insights

Rabbi Jay Kelman

In an almost unbelievable application of the verse, “Love your neighbour as yourself”, our Sages teach that one must give a convicted killer a “pleasant death”. Even those who commit capital crimes are to be dealt with humanely.Thus, Judaism has no…
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A Perfect Game

Rabbi Jay Kelman

It is rare indeed to look to professional athletes for moral guidance. We learned long ago that the extraordinary talents they possess are manifest primarily in the physical realm. It should be no surprise that people who are worshipped by millions…
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An 'A' for Effort

Rabbi Jay Kelman

One of the key aspects of the world of business is the crucial importance of the bottom line. And that is the way it should be. The primary—and some would argue, only—goal of business is to make money, or as Milton Friedman famously noted, “the…
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Good Luck, Mr. Mayor

Rabbi Jay Kelman

In electing Rob Ford as mayor, voters in the city of Toronto have voted for change. Our mayor-elect has been most forthright in his plan of action, with a focus on the need to cut city spending. Yet despite the wide margin of victory and solid…
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The Morning After

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The High Holiday period is one (we hope!) filled with introspection, reflection and a commitment to try to become a better person. Our religious antennae are at their highest point as we spend the day in prayer and fasting. For many, it is the only…
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Time to Forgive?

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The government of Italy recently completed their third tax amnesty in the past eight years. The amnesty—which was only on undeclared income held abroad—resulted in Italians declaring over $120,000,000,000 (that’s 120 billion) that had previously…
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Time to Share

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Bill Gates and Warren Buffet recently announced the launch of the “Giving Pledge” campaign, asking that all billionaires in America donate at least 50% of their wealth to charity—and to publicly outline their intentions with a written letter—during…
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